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'We have messaged each other several times but I felt it was really important to tell him that I knew it was an accident, that he was under great pressure at the time and I didn't blame him.'

On her son she added: 'The word 'hero' is banded about too freely, but what my son did was heroic.

'We are all so immensely proud of Tom for his unselfish act in helping someone else.'

The teenager is reported to have been attempting to jump from the 14th floor of a dormitory at the University of Hawaii.

The two men were visiting a student at the dormitory at the time of the incident. It is reported there was a party ahead of the start of the new university semester.

Mr Bennett tried to rescue the teenager from a ledge outside the window, but both men fell.

Mr Bennett's mother Lesley Heard, pictured receiving a Pride of Plymouth Award on his behalf, said she has forgiven the younger man over her son's death

Police say the 19-year-old was badly hurt in the incident and was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

Mr Bennett's friend who was hosting the party, Ted Guillory, speaking shortly after the incident, said: 'Tommy cared about people - and loved - a lot of people in his life, and he proved to me that night that he cared about other people more than he even cared about himself. He is a hero.

'What he did that night was the most heroic thing I've ever seen anybody do.'

Mr Bennett leaves behind his mother and father Lesley and Chris and siblings Annaliese, Emily, Ross and Isabelle.

He was born in the UK and raised in Philadelphia for 14 years. He moved to Hawaii four years ago.

For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 116 123, visit a local Samaritans branch or visit their website.